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Collector wants people to go green with Envy over a misunderstood gemstone Singapore, 4 October 2008 -- Think of jade and you probably picture a proud matriarch with oversized bangles and necklace in that family portrait on the wall. You may even picture roadside stalls displaying green marbled costume jewelry and religious carvings being auctioned off at the Hungry Ghost festival. So strong is this perception that many modern women have stayed away from an otherwise awe-inspiring gemstone thinking that it is old fashioned. Many will not even consider trying them on. Just the thought of wearing them makes them feel old. How wrong they are. One woman saw the light 32 years ago and today Liza Lim is the proud owner of about 250 items of exquisite jade jewelry that any modern woman would envy and 200 more pieces of unset jade stones. Despite being in the jewelry business, Mrs. Lim, creative director of Gold & Silver Jewellery Pte Ltd, knew next to nothing about jade back in 1976 and her shop did not carry any jade pieces. But it was love at first sight in Canton Street of Hong Kong. She thought they were so beautiful that she bought three exquisite pieces at one go. “I displayed it in our showcase purely out of pride but was offered such a good price for them that within a week all three were sold!” said Mrs. Lim. But the ‘love lost’ was too much for her and she started buying more pieces and have not stopped since. Her collection is now worth more than $2.5 million and growing. But the misconceptions surrounding jade prevents it from getting the admiration and respect that it deserves. “We are usually exposed to poor quality jade and so the modern woman has the perception that jade is not fine jewelry and will not wear it to a special event like they would a diamond,” said Mrs. Lim. “Also, jade has always been associated with heirlooms and therefore seen as old-fashioned”. Jade, technically called jadeite, actually comes in a variety that can be astounding and are classified as Type A, B or C. Type A is the most natural and most valuable of the lot. They look translucent and mesmerising with its glassy smooth finish, a far cry from the dull marbled type many are familiar with. Type B and C are processed and hence of lower quality. Many people are surprised to know that jade comes not only in green, but also in seven other colours – lavender, white, yellow, black, orange, red and icy. The value of jade depends on its degree of transparency and colour. The darker greens are usually higher priced and the more transparent the better. Each piece is unique. It can be set into jewelry in so many ways and when accompanied with high quality craftsmanship both the modern and traditional woman can wear it. Mrs. Lim equates the charm of jade to that of cheongsams. “A cheongsam can look good for all occasions. From a secretary at work to a ‘tai-tai’ to a beauty queen – it always looks elegant and feminine. Jade has the same effect. Compared to other stones, like diamond, jade is not as commonly worn. Interestingly, when I wear my jade, I tend to draw a lot of attention to my jewelry and always receive compliments.” Today Mrs. Lim carries with her an immense knowledge on the topic and naturally, has put passion and business together. Gold & Silver now probably carries the widest range of modern jade pieces in town. Younger women are taking notice of its brilliance. “We are seeing 40% more young modern women buying our jade pieces compared to three years ago,“ said Mrs. Lim. Even westerners are falling in love with the exoticness of jade. “We already have many westerners buying jade pieces in the last four years, something unheard of before”. “Jade has been misrepresented and shunned long enough. I want people to experience the uniqueness and nobility of real jade.” Gold & Silver has just launched their latest jade jewelry line called ENVY in September 2008 featuring their complete range of Type A jadeites set in contemporary fashion. Consisting 188 designs including Mrs. Lim’s personal collection, they aim to balance traditional charm and modern elegance. About Gold & Silver Jewellery Pte Ltd: Gold & Silver have been cornerstone jewelers in Singapore since 1946. They have stayed ahead of the competition, offering exceptional quality for extraordinary value. After 22 years in Paragon, their standards have become exacting as they move into their exclusive showroom on Orchard Road. Today, Gold & Silver design, restore, and revamp fine jewelry for the customer, eliminating any need to comparison-shop by assuring one-of-a-kind creations for all, and from all over the world. Media Contacts: Dean Shams – T: 6227 1451, Footnotes: M170o93H7pQ09L8X1t49cHY01Z5j4TT91fGfr Note To Editors: M170o93H7pQ09L8X1t49cHY01Z5j4TT91fGfr Disclaimer: M170o93H7pQ09L8X1t49cHY01Z5j4TT91fGfr Submitted by newsmaker, KinetiqBuzz PR on Saturday, 4 October 2008 at 9:08 AM Category: Food & Fashion |
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